Development of methodology for identification and characterization of odour nuisance sources in urban agglomeration using in-situ measurement devices
Project title: Development of methodology for identification and characterization of odour nuisance sources in urban agglomeration using in-situ measurement devices
Project Manager: mgr inż. Marta Wiśniewska
Implementing institution: Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering
Source of funding: Preludium
The scientific objective of the project is to develop the procedures for determining odour and odorant concentrations in the field concerning the operation of municipal and industrial plants located in the urban agglomeration and its vicinity. Hypothesis 1: Research methodology using portable field devices allows for the identification and characterization of odour sources in the urban agglomeration and its vicinity. Hypothesis 2: Odour concentration is an essential indicator of outdoor air pollution, complementary to commonly used olfactometric needless. Sub-objective 1 investigates the relationship between odour parameters and the concentration of selected odorants and selected meteorological parameters. Hypothesis 3: There is a statistically significant relationship between the results of chemical and olfactometric tests, allowing the determination of a regression model linking the standard tested parameters to the value of odour concentration. Sub-objective 2 compares the effectiveness and analyses the differences in outdoor air odour concentration determinations made with two types of fields olfactometers. Hypothesis 4: There are significant differences between the odour concentration values determined by the two types of olfactometers. Sub-objective 3 attempts to assess whether the resulting concentrations of odours and odorants may adversely affect the health and comfort of residents. Hypothesis 5: The developed methodology of olfactometric and chemical tests may be an important tool to assess whether the obtained odour and odorant concentrations may negatively affect the inhabitants’ health and comfort.
Research project methodology:
The conducted research will include surveys and chemical determinations using two types of gas detectors (NH3, H2S, CH3SH, VOCs) and olfactometric determinations using two types of portable olfactometers (cod) along with meteorological measurements and observations. The equipment used enables direct measurement. The first task of preparing and implementing the surveys aims to identify the problem related to the perception of odour nuisance: type of odour, the intensity of perception, frequency of perception, time of day and/or night during which it is perceived and odour nuisance location. As part of the second stage of the research, data will be collected on the number of complaints from residents about odour nuisance directed to state administrative bodies and the location of the appearance of the nuisance complained of. The third task aims to precisely identify objects with potential odour impact, which will result in creating a map of odour emission sources within the city of Płock. Task four will consist of odour characterization of individual facilities during field investigations, which will allow verification of literature data related to types of chemical compounds emitted by a given facility and odour concentration levels. The fifth task will be a continuation of the fourth task. Still, in this case, the field research will focus on analysing of the impact of individual objects identified in the previous stages of the work, with particular emphasis on changes in wind speed and direction. During the execution of the task, there will also be monitored reports of residents in connection with the perceived smell nuisance. The last includes the analysis of the research results obtained.
Expected impact of the research project on the development of science:
1.To carry out a complete analysis of the urban agglomeration in terms of identification and impact of individual odour emission sources emphasising various types of industrial and municipal plants. 2. Development of universal methodology for quick identification of the source of odour nuisance, enabling the application of minimising and preventive measures. 3. Characterization of individual odour emission sources will allow identifying odorants typical for a given plant (emission source) and, further, to estimate its share in odour nuisance experienced by residents.